Caring Paws Rescue Offers Low-Cost Heartworm Testing April 4 in Storm Lake

With only 30 test kits on hand and a three-hour window to use them, Caring Paws Rescue is urging Storm Lake dog owners to arrive early for its low-cost heartworm testing clinic on Saturday, April 4, running from 9 a.m. to noon at 107 West 16th Street.

The event takes place at the rescue's newly acquired shelter, housed in the former Lake Animal Hospital building. No appointment is needed; the $15 fee is payable by cash or check at the door.

President Sue Lyngaas says "the goal is to make preventive care accessible for more families by keeping the cost low." The organization serves Buena Vista County through animal rescue, education, and community outreach, with a focus on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

Heartworm disease is a serious but preventable condition that can be fatal if left untreated, and Caring Paws frames routine testing as a cornerstone of responsible pet care, enabling early detection and timely treatment before the disease progresses.

At $15 a test, the clinic undercuts what most veterinary offices charge for the same screening, removing one of the most common barriers that leads pet owners to skip annual testing. Because supply is capped at 30 kits, the three-hour clinic could fill up well before noon.